Edmund is a classic English name with a rich history and meaningful origin. It is derived from the Old English name Æðelmund, which consists of two elements: æðel meaning "noble" or " Mobility," and mund meaning "protection" or "shield." Thus, Edmund translates to "Noble protection" or "Protecting nobleman."
The name Edmund was popular in medieval England, often used by kings and nobles. The most notable historical figure bearing this name is Saint Edmund, the patron saint of England. Born around 841 AD, Edmund was the king of East Anglia who refused to renounce his Christian faith under pagan Danish invaders. He was eventually captured, executed, and canonized for his martyrdom in 981 AD.
The popularity of the name Edmund has fluctuated over time. It reached its peak in England during the late 19th century but has since declined. However, it remains a traditional choice among English-speaking families today. Notable individuals named Edmund include Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Mount Everest, and Edmund Blackadder, the comedic character from British sitcom "Blackadder."
In literature, Edmund is also featured as a main character in C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, where he plays a significant role in shaping the narrative's themes of redemption and transformation.
Overall, Edmund is an enduring name with a strong historical foundation and meaningful symbolism. Its association with nobility, protection, and bravery makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking a timeless and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends and patterns regarding the number of births with the name Edmund in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
Firstly, it's clear that there has been a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Edmund over time. In the late 19th century, there were around 60-90 births per year with this name. However, by the early 20th century, this number began to increase dramatically, reaching over 450 births in 1912 and peaking at 1,099 births in 1918.
The period from around 1910 to the late 1920s was the most popular era for the name Edmund. During this time, there were consistently high numbers of births with this name each year. However, after reaching its peak in 1918, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily over the following decades.
By the mid-20th century, the number of births with the name Edmund had dropped significantly. In the 1950s and 1960s, there were typically around 400-700 births per year with this name. This continued to decrease into the 1970s and 1980s, with only a few hundred births each year.
In more recent years, from the 1990s up until 2023, the number of births with the name Edmund has been quite low, with fewer than 200 births per year. The most recent data shows that there were 168 births in 2022 and 192 births in 2023.
In conclusion, while the name Edmund was once very popular in the United States, especially during the early 20th century, its popularity has significantly decreased over time. Despite this decline, it's clear that there is still a small but consistent number of parents choosing to give their children this name each year.